Good Riddance…

It’s hard to believe that My Republic is Good Riddance’s 7th album. I’ve been listening to this band since I was in high school! Good Riddance are truly one of the classic American melodic hardcore bands. More modern melodic hardcore bands like Strike Anywhere and Rise Against owe an obvious debt to Good Riddance. There are several things that make Good Riddance special. Leadman Russ Rankin has a strong vocal presence and his lyrics can go from intimately personal to a biting political tirade from song to song. The band has a remarkable way of switching back from pop-punk to melodic hardcore at the drop of a hat.

“Out Of Mind” kicks off the album in true Good Riddance style. It’s a fast politically minded song that echoes Bad Religion. The pop-punk “Texas” follows up the album opener showing that Good Riddance still have that uncanny ability of switching styles so easily. “Shame” is an odd song as it sounds remarkably like classic NOFX and even Fat Mike makes a little guest appearance here. “Boise” is your typical Good Riddance pop-punk love song. The band always includes some raging hardcore numbers and that’s no different on My Republic as “Torches And Tragedies” and “Up To You” feel that void.

So, there you have it…there are no surprises here. Everything sounds completely in order. Melodic hardcore songs…check. Token hardcore songs…check. Pop-punk songs…check. This is yet another solid Good Riddance album. So, why does it feel so empty? The band has not released a great album in a number of years now. Perhaps I’ve just outgrown the band but I don’t think that’s really the case. As many of the older FAT bands (Strung Out, No Use For A Name, NOFX, Lagwagon) have proved over the last few years…quite frankly, they are just past their prime. They are missing that special something. It pains me to say so, but, unfortunately, it seems Good Riddance should be added to that list.